Each of the candidates claimed 50% of the vote with 99% of the precincts reporting and military and provisional ballots still to be counted. The AP said that the losing candidate will be able to demand a recount if the winner's margin is less than 1% of the total vote.

It was another headline-making twist in a race that became a proxy war among potential GOP presidential contenders. Palin made an election eve appearance in Georgia on behalf of Handel. Also backing the former Georgia secretary of state: Mitt Romney, a 2008 GOP presidential candidate who is giving every indication he's going to run again.

Deal, meanwhile, had the support of another former Georgia lawmaker -- and potential 2012 White House hopeful -- ex-speaker of the U.S. House Newt Gingrich. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee also backed Deal and campaigned for him Sunday. Huckabee was a 2008 GOP presidential candidate and might try again.

To report corrections and clarifications, contact Standards Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com.

About Catalina Camia

Catalina Camia leads the OnPolitics online community and has been at USA TODAY since 2005. She has been a reporter or editor covering politics and Congress for two decades, including stints at The Dallas Morning News and Congressional Quarterly. Follow her at @USATOnPolitics.